Reflection on Everest
At 5000m above sea level – plants and people are not meant to survive, let alone conquer. Rather, the journey is about taking in what Mother Nature has in store for us – be it rain, snow, elevation, lack of oxygen or the sunshine, warmth, amazing landscape and breathtaking scenery. Rather than a challenge to overcome, Everest is a spiritual place for pilgrimage on two wheels.
Read MoreThe Himalaya Project
Each year we undertake a special project or expedition exploring new frontiers. In 2020 the ‘Himalaya Project’ took a group of European riders on a very challenging trip through the Himalayas in Tibet. Our usual journey ends at Everest Base Camp which is challenging enough but these guys were intent on more punishment so we doubled the amount of climbing, tripled the number of passes over 5000m and did a day on the gravel road that leads out of Everest Base Camp. And it snowed making for testing conditions and spectacular imagery.
Read MoreCycling China’s New Frontier
Running a cycling adventure in frontier territory is no easy undertaking. Our recent adventure near the border of Xinjiang and Kazakstan was no exception. The mix of riding new roads combined with the constraints of this tricky frontier location shaped the 6 days of riding here and ultimately led to some very unique riding experiences.
Read MoreEveresting Everest
How I found a new ‘cycling nirvana’ attempting to Everest Everest. In October 2017 Serk partnered with CyclingTips to attempt the world’s highest and one of the more crazy Everesting attempts. We journeyed for 10 days through Tibet before spending a long day on the slopes of Everest riding up and down a short segment close to Everest Base Camp.
Read MoreAdventure Goals
A quick look back on some of the highlights of 2017 and adventure goals for 2018 – bring it on !
Read More7 days in the shadow of Minya Konka
In 2015 three friends took off an a 7 day gravel adventure in the shadow of Minya Konka in remote Sichuan. Scouting out a new Serk adventure route it almost went horribly wrong when we took a wrong turn into the Valley of Death. Thanks to some luck and the incredible Tibetan hospitality we survived to tell the tale and pioneer a new route which will feature on the Serk adventure calendar soon.
Read MoreChairman Mao Sprint
In the summer of 2017 five teams of maverick riders raced under the cover of night and under the watchful gaze of Mao Zedong’s iconic portrait on Tiananmen Square. The riders were in search of fame, glory and a coveted golden bust of the Chairman himself. All of this upon the saddles of some of the most technologically advanced and innovative bicycles on the road today: Chinese share bikes
Read MoreHow one panda inspired Chinese cycling
Inspired by the Panda that chased Dan Martin to victory in the 2013 Liege-Bastion-Liege Serk gathered a bunch of local Panda fans and established the first Chinese pro cycling fan event – The Panda Corner. With grumpy Beijing bus driver and unexpected roadworks we almost didn’t make it. Fortunately we did and the Panda became the unofficial mascot of the tour and pet of the podium girls – much to the disdain of the official mascot .
Read MoreReflection on Everest
At 5000m above sea level – plants and people are not meant to survive, let alone conquer. Rather, the journey is about taking in what Mother Nature has in store for us – be it rain, snow, elevation, lack of oxygen or the sunshine, warmth, amazing landscape and breathtaking scenery. Rather than a challenge to overcome, Everest is a spiritual place for pilgrimage on two wheels.
Read More